Media release

Australia’s veterinary community is mourning the loss of a promising soon-to-be-veterinarian, Jenna Donley. On behalf of all members of the AVA, we would like to send our sincere sympathies to Jenna’s family and friends at this difficult time.

AVA student president Katherine Gregory, a classmate of Jenna’s at the University of Sydney, has written the following message.

“Jenna had just completed the final year of her BVSc at the University of Sydney, and was due to graduate in two weeks’ time. Jenna loved all animals, in particular wildlife and exotic animals. Throughout her life, Jenna pursued this passion keenly, and undertook many placements to work with wildlife around the world.

“Jenna was going to enter a mixed practice in Victoria after graduation, and was excited to be entering the veterinary profession at last. She was a hard-working and high achieving student, and was set to receive first class honours for her veterinary degree. She was also a lovely friend and a fun person to be around. She had a bubbly, happy personality and was always happy to have a chat about anything, and to share some advice. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.”

Jenna was a student member of the AVA from 2007 and also belonged to the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Australian Cattle Veterinarians special interest groups. She was an outstanding veterinary student and was awarded the Australian Veterinary Association Prize for Veterinary Pathology from the New South Wales Division in 2010.

The AVA Telephone Counselling Service is available 24 hours to talk through issues and provide advice. This service is free to AVA members and their immediate families.